Dimitris Papanagiotakis Profile

Dimitris Papanagiotakis is a technology professional, STEM educator, and founder of the Paros Innovation Center, a technology and education initiative dedicated to advancing STEM education, robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation for students and young people on the island of Paros, Greece, and across the Cyclades islands.

With more than 25 years of professional experience in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital systems, he combines strong technical expertise with a deep commitment to education, innovation, and community development. Dimitris holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and is a graduate of Industrial Informatics, with extensive experience in advanced digital technologies, software systems, and technology-driven innovation initiatives.

He is the Founder and Academic Director of the School of Educational Robotics and Programming at the Paros Innovation Center, where students engage in hands-on STEM learning through robotics, Python programming, electronics, microcontrollers, and real-world technology projects. The center focuses on advancing modern STEM education with a strong emphasis on applied robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), Python programming, and space education, helping students explore emerging technologies through project-based learning and practical experimentation.

Since June 2026, the Paros Innovation Center has been an official Partner of the Python Institute, delivering Python programming education aligned with international certification standards. Dimitris serves as Academic Lead for the Python education program, supporting the development of programming and computational thinking skills among students and young learners.

Under his guidance, students from Paros have participated for the first time in major STEM competitions and robotics challenges. Dimitris has served as a mentor of student teams in the Panhellenic STEM Competition in 2024 and 2025, as well as mentor of teams preparing for the European Space Agency (ESA) CanSat Competition 2026, helping students explore real-world engineering challenges inspired by space technologies, environmental sensing, and satellite systems.

He has also participated in European Space Agency (ESA) education programs, collaborating with educators from across Europe to integrate space science, satellite technologies, and data-driven learning into modern STEM education.

Recognized as a Micro:bit Champion by the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, he actively promotes physical computing, creative coding, and embedded systems education using micro:bit technology, helping students develop computational thinking, engineering skills, and problem-solving abilities.

He is also leading innovative student-driven initiatives such as QuakeBit, a micro:bit-based seismic monitoring network designed for deployment across islands of the Cyclades, introducing students to sensor technology, environmental monitoring, and real-world data analysis.

Beyond education, Dimitris is actively involved in the local community as Vice President of the Paros Island Parents & Guardians Federation, an umbrella organization representing all school parent associations on the island, supporting collaboration between schools, families, educators, and innovation initiatives. He is also a volunteer member of the Hellenic Red Cross Samaritans, Rescuers and Lifeguards Corps.

Through the Paros Innovation Center, his mission is to empower students and young innovators with the skills, curiosity, and confidence needed to shape the future of technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, and space exploration, demonstrating that even small islands can become dynamic hubs of STEM education, digital innovation, and technological creativity.